Flowline cleaning tool storage and conditioning device

ABSTRACT

AN ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL EMBER IS ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO FLOWLINE. A CLEANING TOOL IS NORMALLY STORED WITHIN THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER READY FOR USE IN THE FLOWLINE. OPENINGS ARE DEFINED IN THE WALLS OF THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER TO ALLOW A CONTROLLED FLUID FLOW FROM AND TO THE INNER PORTION OF THE MEMBER. A RIGID FLUID TIGHT HOUSING ENCLOSES THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER AND FORMS AN ANULAR PASSAGEWAY THEREWITH. MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR SUPPLYING A FLUID, UNDER PRESSURE, TO THE HOUSING ENCLOSURE. HEATING MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR HEATING THE FLUID TO A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO MELT DEPOSITS CONTAINED ON THE TOOL. DRAIN MEANS ARE FIXED TO THE HOUSING FOR FLUSING OUT THE DEPOSITS SUSPENDED IN THE LIQUID. THE HOUSING AND CYLINDRICAL MEMBER ARE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO THE FLOWLINE TO ALLOW THE HOUSING AND CYLINDRICAL MEMBER TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM AND ROTATED WITH   RESPECT TO THE FLOWLINE FOR EASY REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE CLEANING TOOL.

Feb. 23, 1971 P. HOOD FLOWLINE CLEANING TOOL STORAGE AND'CQNDITIONING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1968 v i ullrl -I.

POWER SOURCE INVENTOR. HOOD I I. I

m r x i 2 w m m 3 3 G M H n m PETER United States Patent 3,564,634 FLOWLINE CLEANING TOOL STORAGE AND CONDITIONING DEVICE Peter Hood, Canoga Park, Calif., assiguor to North American Rockwell Corporation Filed June 27, 1968, Ser. No. 740,552 Int. Cl. B08b 9/04 US. Cl. 15--104.06 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An elongated cylindrical member is adapted to be connected to a flowline. A cleaning tool is normally stored within the cylindrical member ready for use in the flowline. Openings are defined in the walls of the cylindrical member to allow a controlled fluid flow from and to the inner portion of the member. A rigid fluid tight housing encloses the cylindrical member and forms an annular passageway therewith. Means are provided for supplying a fluid, under pressure, to the housing enclosure. Heating means are provided for heating the fluid to a temperature sufficient to melt deposits contained on the tool. Drain means are fixed to the housing for flushing out the deposits suspended in the liquid. The housing and cylindrical member are pivotally mounted with respect to the flowline to allow the housing and cylindrical member to be disconnected from and rotated with respect to the flowline for easy removal and replacement of the cleaning tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for introducing a pipeline cleaning tool into a flowline and for storing and cleaning the tool of contaminants encountered when the tool is passed through the flowline. The problem that is encountered in the production of certain types of crude oil is the deposition of parafiin on the inner surfaces of the production tubing used to transport the crude oil to the surface. Various tools are inserted into the flowline which utilize a cylindrical cutter for scraping the paraffin deposits from the inner walls. The tool is generally housed in a receptacle which is an extension of the flowline; and by means of various valve and mechanical restraining devices, the tool is allowed to leave the housing under pressure and is forced into and against the normal flow of the flowline to scrape the inner walls. When the scraping process is complete, the pressure driving the tool is reduced or completely eliminated and the normal oil or crude pressure forces the tool back through the flowline into its housing or stored position. The speed at which this tool moves back into position is oftentimes very high and the impact on the housing assembly great. Various types of devices, such as springs and check valves, are used to slow down or to absorb the kinetic energy of the tool so that it does not damage the housing; One such device is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,058,825 entitled Deparaffinator by D. Rallet et al. In that device, a reciprocating scraping element is retained 'within a housing that is connected to one end of the flowline. Through suitable valve connections, the scraper is forced downward through the sections of flowpipe by the gas lift from an external source. When the external source pressure is eliminated, the pressure of the crude oil forces the cleaning tool up- Patented Feb. 23, 1971 wards through the flowline and into the tool impacting in the housing.

Another device of interest is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,268,007 entitled Paraffin Cleaner for Well Tubing by D. S. Bodie. In that invention, a free-falling device is housed at one end of a production tube and is allowed to descend into the well for the purpose of cleaning. The cleaning itself is accomplished by employing helical springs which are attached to a body member such that when the springs and body member fall through the tubing, they vibrate due to the turbulence of the fluid and gas movement through the springs. The vibrating springs contact the inner walls of the production tubing and remove paraffin deposits before any appreciable accumulation occurs. The springs serve a dual purpose in that when the body is forced into the housing or home position, the springs absorb the kinetic energy in the body. A small projection locks the tool into the horned position when it is no longer needed.

Two other devices for cleaning oil wells and storing the cutting tools are disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,989,035 entitled Apparatus for Cleaning Oil Wells by E. H. Blum and US. Pat. No. 3,171,487 entitled Paraflin Cutter by I. L. Ault. Those particular two patents disclose various types of cutting tools used to deparaflinate. As an incidental matter, they disclose the tool holders.

With the present state of the art, it is highly desirable to have a tool holder which easily allows for the removal and replacement of the cleaning tool while at the same time has the capability of absorbing the high kinetic energy of the tool as it is pushed into the homing position and which also dewaxes and cleans the tool of any contaminants picked up by the tool as it was pushed through the flowpipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an elongated cylindrical member is adapted to be attached to a section of flowline. Openings are strategically positioned in the elongated member to allow the flow of fluid to pass out of the cylindrical member at a controlled rate such that a dampening action is applied to the cleaning tool as it moves from the flowline, at a relatively high rate of speed, into the elongated member. A second elongated housing encompasses the cylindrical member to provide an annular fluid passageway around the cylindrical member. Means are provided for pumping a liquid into the outer housing. Means are also provided for heating the liquid in the annular passageway to a temperature that will melt accumulated deposits on the cleaning tool. Means are affixed to the outer housing for draining the contaminated fluid from the annular chamber. A pivot means is fixedly attached to the outer housing for pivoting the housing and the elongated cylindrical member, after detachment from the flowline, about a substantially central point so as to enable the flowline cleaning tool to be removed for purposes of repair or replacement.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved flowline cleaning tool housing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cleaning tool housing which has the capability of melting contaminating particles and for draining the contaminated particles from the system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cleaning tool housing which has the additional capability of damping the knietic energy of the cleaning tool.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a housing for a cleaning tool which allows for easy removal of the cleaning tool.

The aforementioned and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description and drawings, throughout which like characters indicate like parts, and Which drawings form a part of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 which has been moved to the open position allowing for the extraction or insertion of the cleaning tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the flowline is connected to the elongated cylindrical member 12 by means of a mechanical fluid tight joint 14 which may, for example, be a clamp type, pressure pipe coupling. A valve 16 is interposed in the flowline length to inhibit the fluid flow through the flowline to the elongated member 12. A housing 18 surrounds the elongated cylindrical member 12 and forms an annular fluid passageway 20' with the elongated member 12. Openings 22 are defined in the elongated member 12 to allow for a controlled passage of fluid from within and to the annular passageway 20. An inlet pipe 33 provides a fluid passage from outside of the housing 18 into the annular fluid chamber 20. The pipe section 33 is adapted to be connected to a second section of pipe 32 by means of a mechanical fluid tight joint 30 which may be identical to the preceding mechanical joint 14. A valve 26 is interposed in the flow path of pipe section 32 and controls a high pressure fluid 34 emanating from a pressurized source not shown for purposes of clarity. A drain pipe 38 is connected to the lower portion of the annular fluid chamber 20 and to a drain valve 36. A standard flowline cleaning tool 40 is adapted to fit into the inner portion of the elongated cylindrical member 12. An electrical heater 42 is helically wound in the annular passageway 20. An electrical fluid type connector 43 connects power leads 44 in electrical circuit with the heating coil 42. The power leads 44 are electrically connected to the power source 45. A thermostat 50 is attached to the housing 18 to sense the temperature of the fluid 34 in the annular passageway. The out put of the thermostat is fed back to the power source 45 via leads 51. In operation, the thermostat senses the temperature of the fluid '20 and determines whether the fluid has reached a predetermined temperature and if not, the power source 45 is activated to provide power to the heating coil 42 to raise the temperature of the liquid 34 in the annular passageway. Aflixed at approximately the mid-position of the housing member 18 is a bracket support 60. A pivot pin 61 provides a pivot joint by cooperation with bracket member 62 which is fixedly attached to a reference point 63. The reference point may be a wellhead base or other such stable point. Bracket member 62 has an elongated opening therein for receiving the pivot pin 61. The pin may then move up and down in the slot. This limited movement allows pipe 33 and member 12 to clear the pressure pipe couplings and their associated pipes when the housing 18 is rotated about the pivot point. In the operation of the cleaning tool 40, valve 64 which is connected to the flowline and which connects the flowline to the output production line is first closed. Valve 16 is then opened providing a passageway for the cleaning tool 40 directly into the flowline 10. The

valve 26 is opened allowing the high pressure fluid 34 to enter into the annular chamber 20 thereby forcing the cleaning tool 40 out of the elongated housing 12 into the production line 10. When the tool has passed through the production line and has cleaned the Walls, it is returned to the housing by shutting valve 26 and allowing the pressure from the production well to force the tool back into its stored position. The pressure on the return run is much greater than the pressure for pushing the tool into the production line. Therefore, the kinetic energy of the tool is quite high and it will enter into the housing 12 at a relatively high speed. As it enters into the housing, fluid is displaced through the defined openings 22 in a constrained manner such that the fluid remaining in the housing 12 acts as a hydraulic dash pot to absorb the tools kinetic energy. A homing indicator switch provides an indication when the tool is in the stored position. Valve 16 is then closed and valve 64 opened to allow normal operation of the flowline. Heating of the fluid remaining in the annular chamber 20 occurs and the contaminants that are aflixed to the tool are melted and suspended in the fluid. With the contaminants suspended in the fluid, the drain valve 36 is opened and the contaminated fluid is drained off. In order to remove the tool when it is necessary to either repair or replace it or to use it in another flowline, connectors 14 and 30 are uncoupled and the housing 18 along with the elongated mem- {her 12 and the tool are rotated slightly about the pivot pin 61 such that the elongated member at its end opening is clear of any obstructions and the tool 40 is drawn out of the housing. Assembly is accomplished by reversing the previous sequence. The pivot pin 61 is constrained in the elongated hole 64 in the bracket 62. In the assembled posltion, the connector 14 pulls the entire housing assembly upwards into contact position. In the disassembled or tool extraction position, the coupling 14 is uncoupled allowing the housing 18 to settle slightly and move away from the flowline and its associated connectors thereby providing a degree of clearance so that the entire housing assembly can be swung away about the pivot point without interference.

While there has been shown what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be manifest that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, in the annexed claims to cover all such changes and modifications as may fall within the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

(a) an elongated cylindrical member adapted to be connected to a flowline and to house a flowline cleaning tool, said member having at least one passageway through the walls thereof;

(b) a flowline cleaning tool;

(0) a fluid tight housing forming an annular passageway with the outer walls of said cylindrical member;

(d) means for supplying a fluid to said annular passage- (e) heating means interposed in said annular passageway for heating said fluid above the melting temperature of contaminants contained on said cleaning tool; and

(f) pivoting means affixed to said fluid tight housing at substantially its mid-position to allow rotation of said housing and said cylindrical member containing said tool out of engagement with said flowline to enable removal of said tool from said housing.

2. The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising:

(a) means for flushing said contaminants from said annular chamber.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said fluid passageway is controlled in size to provide a damping action as the tool moves into the elongated member.

4. -In combination:

(a) an oil well flow tubing;

(b) an elongated member adapted to store a flowline cleaning tool therewithin, said member having at least one opening through its walls;

(c) means removably connecting said elongated member to said well flow tubing;

((1) a rigid fluid tight housing surrounding said elongated member and forming an annular fluid passage Way therewith;

(e) means providing a fluid to said annular passage- -way and said elongated member;

(f) heating means interposed in said annular passageway for raising the temperature of said liquid above the melting point of contaminants contained on said tool; and

(g) pivoting means affixed to said rigid housing to allow said housing to be pivoted with respect to said flowline when said removable connector is removed.

5. In combination:

(a) an elongated cylindrical member adapted to be connected to a flowline and to house a flowline cleaning tool;

(b) a flowline cleaning tool;

(c) a fluid tight housing forming an annular passageway with the outer Walls of said cylindrical member;

\(d) means for supplying a fluid to said annular passage- (e) heating means interposed in said annular passageway for heating said fluid above the melting temperature of contaminants contained on said cleaning tool; and

(f) pivoting means affixed to said fluid tight housing at substantially its mid-position to allow rotation of said housing and said cylindrical member containing said tool out of engagement with said flowline to enable removal of said tool from said housing.

6. The invention according to claim 5 and further comprising:

(a) means for flushing said contaminants from said annular chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,973,327 9/1934 Blair 134107X 2,058,825 10/1936 Rallet et al. 15104.06AX 2,493,504 1/1950 Roberts 15104.06A 3,425,083 2/1969 Wennerberg et al. 137-268X 2,786,219 3/1957 Meyer 15104.06A 3,047,020 7/1962 Barrett, Jr 137268X ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner 

